Imported: the code from Heaven

March 16 2003By Liz Gooch

It is known as the game they play in heaven but rugby union has not always been the game they play in Victoria.

That is changing.

When the World Cup comes to Melbourne and the rest of Australia in October and November, rugby will be thrust into the limelight. The Victorian Rugby Union plans to capitalise on the excitement to attract more players and spectators and add impetus to its push for a team in the Super 12 - the tournament involving Australian, New Zealand and South African provincial sides.

"Our vision is that by 2015, the Wallaby captain will be a born and bred Victorian," VRU general manager Ron Steiner said. "To have such a marquee event like the World Cup can only reinforce and complement that."

The number of Victorians playing rugby in all age groups has increased from less than 3000 in 1999 to about 4460 this year, according to the Australian Rugby Union. The biggest growth area has been in junior competitions.");document.write("

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While many young Victorians want to be the next Nathan Buckley rather than Wallabies captain George Gregan, the VRU is providing kids with an alternative to Aussie rules.

TryRugby, a program conducted by development officers in Melbourne schools, aims to spark children's interest in the sport and help them learn basic skills.

For those who decide to pursue the sport, there are competitions from the under-eights to senior grades at Victoria's 24 clubs.

Mr Steiner is quick to point out rugby union is not trying to surpass Aussie rules.

However, as the World Cup illustrates, rugby offers something not available in Aussie rules - international competition, and on every continent.

"I think everyone loves to have an excuse to sing the national anthem and rugby gives both spectators and players that opportunity," Mr Steiner said.

Peter Bolton, a past president of the Melbourne Harlequins, believes renewed interest in the game has come from those who played rugby at school or came to Victoria from interstate, and had put rugby in a "coat cupboard".

"With Super 12, and the Wallabies playing in Melbourne and the Bledisloe Cup, we've brought them all out and everyone now is well aware of rugby," he said.

Ticket sales for the World Cup have already topped one million and a second ballot will be held on July 1 for those who missed out in the first ballot. The ARU is hoping to make a $45 million profit from ticket sales.

Melbourne will host seven world cup matches, including two quarter finals and the Australia versus Ireland pool match.

Also on the minds of rugby fans is the possibility that Victoria may become home to the next Super 12 team. "The Australian Rugby Union and other unions will see the terrific support that Victorians give to quality sporting events," Mr Steiner said. "That will provide even further confidence in Victoria being the logical choice for Super 12," he said.

VRU research suggests Super 12 games in Victoria could attract crowds of 18,000-20,000 people.

The agreement between the South African, New Zealand and Australian unions expires in 2005.

"A fourth (Australian) Super 12 team in 2004 is unlikely and a remote chance in 2005 but beyond that it is a distinct possibility," said the ARU's managing director and CEO, John O'Neill.